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CITY

Locust

North Carolina · 6,120 residents (2025 est.) · 8.224 sq mi
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Notable rankings
#79Fastest growingof 6,811+28.7%
The short version

Locust has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $76,504. The city has more than doubled in size since 2000, adding 3,424 residents. 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $322,100.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 36.2
US median: 38.9
Less educated
23% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 85%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
5,840
+142%since 2000
from 2,416 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
710 / sq mi
+72%since 2009
from 412 / sq mi in 2009
US average: 281
Median age
36.2
Unchangedsince 2000
from 36.2 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:6,120 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
2K3K4K5K6K1990201020202024Locust
20246K
1990201020202024
Age distribution, 2024
Under 58.4%(488)
US avg: 5.6%
5 to 96.6%(387)
US avg: 6%
10 to 144.1%(241)
US avg: 6.4%
15 to 199.7%(568)
US avg: 6.6%
20 to 244.4%(256)
US avg: 6.5%
25 to 3415.9%(930)
US avg: 13.7%
35 to 447.2%(420)
US avg: 13.2%
45 to 549.2%(539)
US avg: 12.2%
55 to 6415%(878)
US avg: 12.7%
65 to 7410.7%(626)
US avg: 10.2%
75 to 846.8%(396)
US avg: 5.1%
85 and over1.9%(111)
US avg: 1.9%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$76,504
−6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $44,556 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$33,676
+75%since 2000
from $19,250 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
51.9%
+27.3 ptssince 2009
from 24.5% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
8.7%
+4.6 ptssince 2000
from 4.1% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.365
−12%since 2010
from 0.416 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Wholesale trade13.5%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services9.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration7.6%
US avg: 4.8%
Information7.5%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade6.1%
US avg: 9.9%
Transportation & warehousing2.7%
US avg: 2.2%
Finance & insurance1.4%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical1%
US avg: 5.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.7%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.4%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$322,100
+85%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $95,600 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$895
−7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $529 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
86.9%
+5.6 ptssince 2000
from 81.3% in 2000
13.1% rent
Vacancy rate
6.0%
−9.4 ptssince 2009
from 15.5% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
19.8%
−6.3 ptssince 2009
from 26.1% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
56.4%
+21.0 ptssince 2009
from 35.4% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.2
+34%since 2009
from 3.1 in 2009
2009 – 2024
Our index: median home value divided by median household income. Lower is more affordable.
Gentrification Score
60
Our index, 0 to 100. Higher means faster recent growth in incomes, home values, and college degrees.
RELATED:See current rent listings in Locust on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic93.8%(2,267)
Black1.5%(37)
Hispanic / Latino3.4%(82)
Asian0.2%(4)
Other0%
2024
White, non-Hispanic91%(5,317)
Black2.7%(156)
Hispanic / Latino3.8%(221)
Asian0%(0)
Other2.5%(146)
Diversity Score
21
−20%since 2009
from 26 in 2009
2009 – 2024
Our index, 0 to 100. Higher means a more even mix of racial and ethnic groups.
Section 04 · Origins

Detailed origins & ancestry

Hispanic origin
Mexican2.4%(143)
Puerto Rican0.8%(47)
Ancestry
English15.6%(910)
German11.4%(665)
American9.4%(547)
Irish8.2%(479)
French3.7%(216)
Italian3%(176)
Scotch-Irish2.7%(160)
Swedish1.1%(66)
Russian1%(60)
Scottish0.9%(55)
Polish0.8%(46)
British0.6%(37)
+ 11 more ancestry groups with data
Hungarian0.5%(32)
Dutch0.5%(31)
West Indian0.5%(27)
Jamaican0.5%(27)
Ukrainian0.4%(22)
Portuguese0.3%(20)
Welsh0.3%(19)
Swiss0.3%(18)
Nigerian0.2%(14)
Greek0.2%(9)
RANKED:Largest English population · Largest German population · Largest American population · Largest Irish population · Largest French population
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
22.5%
+12.1 ptssince 2000
from 10.4% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
88.1%
+10.8 ptssince 2000
from 77.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
6.8%
+3.1 ptssince 2000
from 3.6% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
32.7 min
+15%since 2000
from 28.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
75.4%
−9.6 ptssince 2009
from 84.9% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
11.1%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 12.6% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
13.5%
+12.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.1% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
6.7%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 4.8% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.6%
−2.3 ptssince 2011
from 5.9% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
53.0%
−16.1 ptssince 2011
from 69.1% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
12.4%
+5.2 ptssince 2009
from 7.2% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
48.1%
−8.3 ptssince 2009
from 56.4% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.3%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 46.4% in 2009
Female
53.7%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 53.6% in 2009
Foreign born
1.8%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 3.1% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.7%
−41.2 ptssince 2009
from 45.9% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
17.4%
−1.9 ptssince 2012
from 19.3% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
7.9%
−79.6 ptssince 2013
from 87.5% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
86.7%
−0.6 ptssince 2017
from 87.3% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
97.9%
+2.0 ptssince 2016
from 95.9% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.8%
−2.4 ptssince 2016
from 3.2% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Marital status
Men 15+
Never married38.4%(859)
Married51.5%(1,153)
Widowed5.2%(116)
Divorced5%(111)
Women 15+
Never married26.2%(651)
Married43.9%(1,091)
Widowed14.1%(350)
Divorced15.8%(393)
SHARE WITHIN EACH SEX · POPULATION 15 AND OVER · 2024
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Head to head

Compare Locust to nearby cities

LOCUST VS
Harrisburg
Income$148,254+94%
Home value$478,000+48%
Population20,742+239%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LOCUST VS
Mint Hill
Income$100,860+32%
Home value$428,900+33%
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LOCUST VS
Concord
Income$86,921+14%
Home value$353,700+10%
Population114,598+1773%
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LOCUST VS
Albemarle
Income$46,881−39%
Home value$204,800−36%
Population17,769+190%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Locust, North Carolina?

Locust, North Carolina has about 5,840 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Locust, North Carolina?

The typical household in Locust, North Carolina earns about $76,504 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Locust, North Carolina expensive?

In Locust, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $322,100, and the typical rent is about $895 a month.

How educated are people in Locust, North Carolina?

About 22.5% of adults age 25 and over in Locust, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Locust, North Carolina?

About 8.7% of people in Locust, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Locust, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Locust, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 3,913 residents, a change of about 203 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →